Used DJ Gear - Is It A Good Or Bad Idea?

[@tweakintrax6097]

Sold my Kontrol S8 after 6 years use to a 16 year old student starting a school radio station it had a couple of loose pots but worked flawlessly still. The Kids mother emailed me a few days later thanking me for making her sons dream come true as he could'nt afford this unit new Always regretted selling it but the fact a young person was about to enable their dreams to become reality still sits well with me to this day

[@Jbaxter736]

I've done in the past is by display models of equipment after the new models have been released, and I've never had issues, and you can get quite a good saving.

[@MrDJMikieMike]

Sometimes not a bad deal, but it depends on the person you are buying from.

[@demeatriuswhitt5824]

I buy used from GC because you can buy a warranty on it. I bought a used Rane One with a warranty from GC. They gave me two weeks to try it out before I can return it. Worked out on it everyday 5 hours straight. Love it. Got it for 5 hundred dollars less than a new one.

[@kf.9844]

I'm from the Midwest and buy stuff online from a California store. Most of their stuff are free shipping with no tax, except for very huge subs. When they're overstocked, they advertise as clearance but they're brand new with warranty on a sealed box. I just scored a Pioneer DDJ-REV7 for $1359 and a Rane 4 for $999, both brand new.

[@TheMobileDJ]

My go to mixer is a Denon MC 6000 Mk2. I purchased one from a guy on eBay who lives not far from me and as advertised it was in mint condition still using it today as my original one had a few issues so for me that purchase was good. I have some equipment in my garage that I no longer use and I wouldn’t sell it because of the comeback too much hassle. Great video Brian keep up the good work.

[@bobgreen98]

You can score on open box stuff depending on what your looking for and retailer

[@jdm2340]

I have a mix of new and used. It is a gamble, mostly paid off for me. 2 dj friends were selling up. I had to buy stuff off them! All working like new

[@nickloss2377]

If you're buying used, and you are not prepared to either pay for repairs or know how to solder yourself, prolly best to buy new. Pioneer DJ gear... especially the newer stuff that is manufactured in Indonesia are prone to failure. Don't worry though, there are a ton of replacement parts online.. partly because every new piece of gear they have is 98% comprised of parts from all their other older controllers and mixers and players. Same potentiometers, same transformers, circuitry is basically the same although I would stay away from anything that needs circuit board repair. Liquid damage is easily fixed. I'm a nightclub sound tech and have become intimately familiar with the inner workings of those crappy CDJ-3000s and DJM A9. The only one i havent been able to open up (yet) is the euphonia. But they use ALPS pots.. those are easily sourced. The dumb digital display and awesome neve transformer might be a bit difficult to source. But the Neve is a neve. Probably will outlast any of the alpha theta tech in there by decades.

[@georgeprice4212]

Believe it or not, the only used DJ gear I ever bought was a used mixer in 2002. Everything worked great from day one. I also bought two used home CD players, both single CD players, around the same time and that was my setup until 2004 - everything ended up in my mom’s storage unit and got nicked by “family” and sold for drug money. (They didn’t get much!)

[@joselebeer]

Most of my DJ equipment is used. My main speakers and main controller I brought new but my immaculate 1210 decks, ecler mixer, spare controllers, RCF speakers, DJ stands, CDJs, etc. All preloved by their previous owners.

[@djflavordaone]

I buy a lot of used stuff just got my hands on a pair of JBL G-734 PASSIVE best speakers I ever purchase

[@apm3848]

Stands and cases I’ll buy used all day long given they’re in good condition. Bought used speakers twice … one was great, the other junk. What I will never buy used … cables and microphones (who knows how many people have spit into that thing).

[@mrdistortedfiction]

Calling the vendor, one thing you mentioned. To your point, one of the larger vendors matches the Amazon price online for a lot of items. If you can use the same sales rep when you want something reach, out and they can cut the cost for you and he gets a commission which makes me feel good about supporting them. This is more for new gear though.

[@Salkinmusic]

I’ve gotten great deals on used gear… Just make sure to test it before buying 🥳

[@guslauzon2513]

Bought two controllers. I'm pretty handy with electronics repair, Otherwise..like you I wouldn't do it. Been Had with a Mackie mixer. Used you are always taking your chances.

[@johncortez4722]

100% about map pricing, I can lose my vendor account if I advertise below map. But once the customer calls or walks into my shop it’s fair game as to what I want to do. Definitely talk to the mom n pop shops they are more likely to deal than big corporate stores. I also worked at Best Buy for 20 years, even our employee discount was trash after a few years. Help small businesses and they will help you👍

[@dantaddia43]

I bought a used Bose speaker absolutely fantastic and I bought a used pioneer mixer and that worked out well too

[@thepartydocdj]

I have purchased used before. Sometimes it was a poor decision, most times though great! Speakers, amps, mixers, controllers, lighting. Most stuff though has been new purchases. I bought it, used it, then a couple years later, bought something newer, and sold the old stuff, usually at 50 to 75% off. It’s used, I wrote it off already. All of my used gear was good stuff! Right now I’ve got $10,000 in gear I’ll be selling because of a contract I lost after 30 years. Some of it new in 2023. I’ll take a loss I’m sure.

[@MrCheswickMusic]

Music tech is usually so expensive that sometimes I have no choice but to buy used

[@EBMproductions1]

*70:30 Ratio for me however that is without having any big issues and i always prepare myself for dissappointment for incase*

[@littlejeffmo]

I've only bought one used piece of equipment in the past 30 yrs. On Ebay, I bought a ADJ light that was discontinued. They said that it was "like new." The price was decent, so I did buy it. When I received it, it was NOT "like new." It was in decent condition, or so I thought. About one month after I got it... it stopped working altogether. I'll never buy used again.

[@bitterXboifren]

bought my phase dvs and reloop elite mixer used from reverb and guitar center. nothing bad to say about the experience.

[@JotaStroeter]

I had good experiences buying used controllers

[@bosselof1341]

When I started Dj ing in Events in Stockholm my friend Jens Bengtsson and Hes SoundEngineer told me to buy speakers from D&B Audiotechnic but it was very expensive. I Just laugh and I was leveling and changed to different equipment in 17 years from Mackie,EV and so on but Jens technician had the same equipment and It still works 100% after 17 years😂. So If You want to go full time take a loan and just buy the best....but if You just are a part-time DJ just look for Semiprofessional equipment and maybe a new controller. I have Traktor and NI S4 but I tried a lot of old and new Equipment in 17 years.😂

[@PeopleCallMeCraig]

I bought a 15" EV powered speaker used and "tested" from Guitar Center to find out later that it crackled and cut out at high volume. Couldn't return it to GS and ended up having the entire amp/back panel replaced. Ended up spending more in the long run than it would've cost to buy a new speaker! Other than that I've historically had great luck buying used gear in general (mics, controllers, etc). Worst experience was from Guitar Center.

[@kuyache2]

With the prices of DJ equipment's many DJ's are forced to buy used to be able to afford business. One must do a lot of research and test the gear/s thoroughly before purchase. If you find fault even the tiniest that bugs you, walk away/return. Your equipment will be used to please customers and your name is on the line so avoid stuff that might damage your reputation.

[@nickloss2377]

Btw. Stay away from SL 1200 1210s etc unless you're buying them brand new. there are way too many on the used market that are considered Frankenstein's.. ie hodgepodge of parts and pieces from other broken turntables put together to make one working one. Be careful with those ... Cuz they are a nightmare to properly set up and calibrate

[@briansredd]

There are not many "new" 1200/1210's out there. I've bought probably close to 20 of them on the used market. In fact, I've never bought a new one. Got a dud from a used music retailer once that had a 30 day guaranty. I don't remember the issue, but whatever it was, I knew the part wasn't available at the time & would have cost more than I paid for the unit itself. Might have been a bent tome arm. Took it back in & they swore they could get it fixed. After a week or so, they called & told me what I already knew. So, I went back in & showed them how to do a quick check-up on any unit that came in on pawn. It was pretty basic stuff, like pitch, lights, anti-skate, tone arm, leads, ground, etc. Never paid anything over cost in that store again. Those kinds of check-ups are pretty quick & easy to do before you buy

[@christopherisiahlofi]

If you're a full time DJ, I would say "no". Your gear is a big investment. I would only buy used for accessories, never Controllers, Speakers, Laptops, or Lighting. I rather buy them brand new